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a few questions about LT headers, mainfold gaskets, x pipes...

  • Thread starter Thread starter BigChiefSmokem
  • Start date Start date Oct 10, 2005

BigChiefSmokem

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Feb 20, 2002
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Oct 10, 2005
#1
  • Oct 10, 2005
  • #1
So it seems like LT headers are the way to go when it comes to headers and N/A power... I have a feeling i may have an exhaust leak at the exhaust manifold.. if thats the case, and they have to replace the gasket.. i might as well get some new headers on right?.... right?

So, i have a magna catted x... i know i cant use that if i get longtubes.. is it possible to cut the magna catted x to fit, or should i buy the shorty x pipe, and then sell my magna catted x?

also, what are we looking at as far as time goes?
 

mity2

I like Pro3 and all I got was this crappy CT.
Jul 24, 2003
2,872
3
48
StateCollege PA
Oct 10, 2005
#2
  • Oct 10, 2005
  • #2
i would sell your magnaflow catted X. u should be able to get pretty decent money for it.
then I would get LT with matching mid-pipe. u can intermix mid pipe with little custom fabbing, but then your chancing leak...
Is FL had E-check? if not, just get O/R mid, and be done with it.
 

BigChiefSmokem

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Dec 18, 2005
#3
  • Dec 18, 2005
  • #3
What would be the best shorty x pipe to go with? I'd like to get another magnaflow x, but i dont see a bolt on shorty x pipe for them...
 

Stang|ess

seeking cyber partner(s)
Oct 18, 2003
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Dec 18, 2005
#4
  • Dec 18, 2005
  • #4
I'd say 12-15 hours.

Took me 15 hours and that included wrestling with the stupid struts. Taking everything apart is no problem, I had a 3' breakerbar for the stubborn bolts, but putting that hebitch kmember back up was hard. Make sure you have a friend or 2 for that part of the install.
 

hotmustang331

Active Member
Apr 29, 2004
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Bastrop,TX
Dec 18, 2005
#5
  • Dec 18, 2005
  • #5
I have BBK LTs with a Dr GAS O/R X (best X on the market IMHO). Its pretty tough lol, you HAVE to pull the K member and its still tight lol. Some of the bolts really cant be tightened at any rate of speed W/O jacking the engine way up and then way down.

But the HP gain is AWSOME! And the tone is DEEP and smooth (magnaflow CB)...WOT sounds Very deep.
 

BigChiefSmokem

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Dec 18, 2005
#6
  • Dec 18, 2005
  • #6
hotmustang331 said:
I have BBK LTs with a Dr GAS O/R X (best X on the market IMHO). Its pretty tough lol, you HAVE to pull the K member and its still tight lol. Some of the bolts really cant be tightened at any rate of speed W/O jacking the engine way up and then way down.

But the HP gain is AWSOME! And the tone is DEEP and smooth (magnaflow CB)...WOT sounds Very deep.
Click to expand...


So what i was thinking of going with was the BBK longtubes with...

I dunno what x pipe to do... I was looking into the Dr Gas o/r X, or the bbk off road x pipe... I dunno which to go with..

BTW i local shop is gonna install the long tubes for 400 even, and I also have H&R SS Springs... I hope i dont have clearance issues...

Hey hotmustang, you have any sound clips of your car, mustangexhaust.com seems to have their clips temporarily unavailable for some reason.
 

hotmustang331

Active Member
Apr 29, 2004
2,967
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48
Bastrop,TX
Dec 18, 2005
#7
  • Dec 18, 2005
  • #7
Well all i had where those 2 vids, one of me flying down the highway (incar) and the one at idle with open headers. I have some BEFORE the LTs of just revving if you want me to find one of those.
I have heared that the BBK X sounds HORRABLE.

Just as a refrence, Tim (@ MPH) only runs BBK LTs on his cars and reccomends the DR Gas X to everyone(and runs that if he can). Most of the guys from MPH have that setup and you will see them thanking Tim for reccomending the Dr Gas X to them. Its a VERY good product, but it has to be welded up. So whoever is doing it must know how to weld lol.
 

helty

some Ukrainian's enjoying a handjob via my credit
Mar 30, 2005
1,461
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Baltimore, MD
Dec 18, 2005
#8
  • Dec 18, 2005
  • #8
Dont get the BBK X. go with a true X. Dr. Gas is a very good one, but bc you have pay someone to weld it, i suggest looking into VRS. they make shorty X-pipes specifically for BBK headers (or Mac). you can get it in either alimunum or Stainless Steel, with or without cats. the shorty aluminum without cats is only $160 and the shorty stainless without cats is only $220. and its a true X.

here you go: http://www.vrsexhaust.com/X-PIPES/x-pipes.html
 

BigChiefSmokem

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Dec 18, 2005
#9
  • Dec 18, 2005
  • #9
helty said:
Dont get the BBK X. go with a true X. Dr. Gas is a very good one, but bc you have pay someone to weld it, i suggest looking into VRS. they make shorty X-pipes specifically for BBK headers (or Mac). you can get it in either alimunum or Stainless Steel, with or without cats. the shorty aluminum without cats is only $160 and the shorty stainless without cats is only $220. and its a true X.

here you go: http://www.vrsexhaust.com/X-PIPES/x-pipes.html
Click to expand...


So the BBK is not a true x design?? And it looks like the Dr Gas pipe would jsut bolt right on?? thats not true? it needs to be welded?

The VRS pipe will bolt right on, correct? and are there any changes in HP or sound over Dr gas, VRS, or bbk?
 

helty

some Ukrainian's enjoying a handjob via my credit
Mar 30, 2005
1,461
1
39
Baltimore, MD
Dec 18, 2005
#10
  • Dec 18, 2005
  • #10
BigChiefSmokem said:
So the BBK is not a true x design?? And it looks like the Dr Gas pipe would jsut bolt right on?? thats not true? it needs to be welded?

The VRS pipe will bolt right on, correct? and are there any changes in HP or sound over Dr gas, VRS, or bbk?
Click to expand...
from what i've read many many times about the BBK X-pipe, it sounds like ass. NO, its not a true X, its a stamped design. Im not the only one that will tell you this. their LT's and H-pipe are fine, stay away from the X.

Yes, the Dr. Gas needs to be welded together (ie, it doesnt come in 1 piece). it IS a high quality X-pipe, but so is the VRS. I cant comment on any power differences, but if there are any they would be marginal. Both are True X-pipe designs which is where the X makes more power than an H.

Im not trying to scare you away from Dr. Gas, just letting you know there are other options out there that are just as good, and made specifically to fit BBK LT's.
 

BigChiefSmokem

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Dec 18, 2005
#11
  • Dec 18, 2005
  • #11
Ok cool man thanks for the heads up... So VRS would be a good way to go then... I would need it in 2.5" to match the BBK Longtubes and magnaflow catback, right?
 

helty

some Ukrainian's enjoying a handjob via my credit
Mar 30, 2005
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39
Baltimore, MD
Dec 18, 2005
#12
  • Dec 18, 2005
  • #12
BigChiefSmokem said:
Ok cool man thanks for the heads up... So VRS would be a good way to go then... I would need it in 2.5" to match the BBK Longtubes and magnaflow catback, right?
Click to expand...
yeah, 2.5". that link i posted should tell you the diameter. scroll down about 2/3 the page and you'll see where it says 99-04 BBK LT's.

heres a link with pics of their X-pipes.

http://www.vrsexhaust.com/VRS_PICS/vrs_pics.html

dont rule out DR. Gas, im just assuming VRS would be more cost effecient opposed to Dr. Gas needing to be welded.
 

HoustonGT

Gilded Gelding
Apr 6, 2003
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Houston
Dec 18, 2005
#13
  • Dec 18, 2005
  • #13
BigChiefSmokem said:
So it seems like LT headers are the way to go when it comes to headers and N/A power... I have a feeling i may have an exhaust leak at the exhaust manifold.. if thats the case, and they have to replace the gasket.. i might as well get some new headers on right?.... right?

So, i have a magna catted x... i know i cant use that if i get longtubes.. is it possible to cut the magna catted x to fit, or should i buy the shorty x pipe, and then sell my magna catted x?

also, what are we looking at as far as time goes?
Click to expand...
Of course you gotta add some Longtubes fi you're replacing a gasket

You can get an exhaust shop to chop up the x-pipe u have now and make it fit, but you might as well sell t and get a shorty x-pipe and save the time if you wanna do it yourself. Also, which headers are you going with?
 

Jackie Chan

I didn't read this.
Founding Member
Oct 17, 2002
2,507
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Orlando, FL
Dec 19, 2005
#14
  • Dec 19, 2005
  • #14
helty said:
from what i've read many many times about the BBK X-pipe, it sounds like ass. NO, its not a true X, its a stamped design. Im not the only one that will tell you this. their LT's and H-pipe are fine, stay away from the X.

Yes, the Dr. Gas needs to be welded together (ie, it doesnt come in 1 piece). it IS a high quality X-pipe, but so is the VRS. I cant comment on any power differences, but if there are any they would be marginal. Both are True X-pipe designs which is where the X makes more power than an H.

Im not trying to scare you away from Dr. Gas, just letting you know there are other options out there that are just as good, and made specifically to fit BBK LT's.
Click to expand...
ok, from what you heard is not actually hearing the bbk x pipe on a car. since he has magnaflows the x pipe will sound good, its just when people try to put the bbk o/r x on with chambered mufflers is when they sound like ****.
 

helty

some Ukrainian's enjoying a handjob via my credit
Mar 30, 2005
1,461
1
39
Baltimore, MD
Dec 19, 2005
#15
  • Dec 19, 2005
  • #15
Jackie Chan said:
ok, from what you heard is not actually hearing the bbk x pipe on a car. since he has magnaflows the x pipe will sound good, its just when people try to put the bbk o/r x on with chambered mufflers is when they sound like ****.
Click to expand...
dont listen to this turd, he's a pushrod (dont hurt me )

jk, you very well may be right. i didnt say i never heard it in person. the one time i did was on a 99 GT with Bassani cat-back (which im being told is straight through as well ). it somehow made a usually great sounding c/b like Bassani's sound like ****. the guy has since replaced it with Bassani's X and it sounds a lot better.

i've never heard of people saying "dont use it with (state your brand) mufflers" just a lot of people saying dont use it at all. but hey, JC could very well be right about pairing it with the Magnaflow c/b. it may sound fine with the BBK X, give it a shot. if you dont like it you can always sell it and get something else.
 

BigChiefSmokem

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Feb 20, 2002
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Jacksonville, FL
Dec 19, 2005
#16
  • Dec 19, 2005
  • #16
helty said:
dont listen to this turd, he's a pushrod (dont hurt me )

jk, you very well may be right. i didnt say i never heard it in person. the one time i did was on a 99 GT with Bassani cat-back (which im being told is straight through as well ). it somehow made a usually great sounding c/b like Bassani's sound like ****. the guy has since replaced it with Bassani's X and it sounds a lot better.

i've never heard of people saying "dont use it with (state your brand) mufflers" just a lot of people saying dont use it at all. but hey, JC could very well be right about pairing it with the Magnaflow c/b. it may sound fine with the BBK X, give it a shot. if you dont like it you can always sell it and get something else.
Click to expand...

Nah, i'll get it right the first time and get the VRS or DR Gas X pipe, as i cant afford to keep paying to get it right a 2nd or 3rd time when i could do it right the first time around.
 
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